Mindfulness Facets Associated with Orofacial Pain Outcomes

J Integr Complement Med. 2022 Oct;28(10):839-844. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0479. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Abstract

Mindfulness can help improve chronic pain outcomes. This cross-sectional study is the first to test associations between specific mindfulness facets and pain-related outcomes (pain intensity, pain-related disability, anxiety, and depression) in individuals with chronic orofacial pain (N = 303). "Nonjudging" was associated with positive pain-related outcomes. "Observing" was associated with worse pain-related disability and anxiety outcomes. Multiple regressions revealed that "nonjudging" was the only facet independently associated with pain-related disability, anxiety, and depression beyond the other facets and clinical/demographic variables. Cultivating a nonjudgmental stance may facilitate positive orofacial pain outcomes.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mindfulness; orofacial pain; pain-related disability.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • Chronic Pain* / therapy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Facial Pain / etiology
  • Humans
  • Mindfulness*